The Guardian has removed a controversial post from its website that centered on a cancer patient who documented her illness on social media.
The article questioned the ethics of the social media habits of the cancer patient, Lisa Adams, and stated that people followed her posts like "a reality TV show." It also included quotes from private conversations between Adams and the writer, Guardian journalist Emma Keller. Adams later expressed her disappointment with the piece.
The article, which was originally published on Jan. 8 and elicited a wave of criticism from cancer patients and people defending Adams, who argued that not all cancers require the same treatments.
Keller's husband, former New York Times executive editor Bill Keller, wrote an op-ed days later in the Times on the same subject. The Times article is still available on its website.
.@emmagkeller many inaccuracies. I'm quite perplexed and concerned. Misses everything I'm trying to do. Stunned. Saddened.— Lisa Bonchek Adams (@AdamsLisa) January 8, 2014
The Guardian post was removed on Monday and replaced with the statement: "This post has been deleted with the agreement of the subject because it is inconsistent with the Guardian editorial code." While the comments on the story remain live, no new comments can be added at this time. The original is archived here.
However it was later changed to say: "This post has been removed pending investigation."
When reached for comment, a Guardian spokesperson said, "The Guardian's independent readers' editor has informed us that aspects of the investigation are ongoing. The language has been changed accordingly."